Tingle Movie: Heroes' Oka Eyed for Iconic Role

Tingle creator Takaya Imamura has voiced his perfect casting choice for the character in the upcoming live-action Zelda film! Read on to learn more about his ideal choice for the role of Tingle.

Takaya Imamura Unveiled His Ideal Pick for Tingle in Zelda MovieDon’t Worry; It’s Not Jason Momoa Nor Jack Black

Many questions remain regarding the upcoming Legend of Zelda film. Who will wield the Master Sword? Will Princess Zelda wear a flowing gown or a warrior’s outfit? But amidst the speculation for Link and Zelda, another pressing question remains: Will the balloon-loving Tingle grace the silver screen, and if so, who should wear his green tights? Well, Takaya Imamura has recently revealed his ideal casting choice.

"Masi Oka," he stated in a recent interview with VGC. "You know the TV series Heroes? The Japanese character who goes ‘yatta!’, I’d like him to play him."

Oka is best known for his memorable performance as Hiro Nakamura in Heroes. After Heroes and its sequel series, Heroes Reborn, he has worked on numerous films and shows showcasing his versatility. From action films like Bullet Train and The Meg to the acclaimed Hawaii Five-O reboot, Oka’s comedic timing and infectious enthusiasm are a perfect fit for Tingle’s boundless energy. It helps that his signature "yatta!" pose in Heroes closely mirrors Tingle's poses in some artwork.

Whether director Wes Ball will heed Imamura's suggestion or include Tingle in the film remains to be seen. However, Ball did describe the Zelda movie as a "live-action Miyazaki" film, and Tingle's quirky balloon-selling antics might align with the often whimsical nature of Miyazaki’s works. So, there's still a possibility.

The Legend of Zelda live-action film was first announced in November 2023, and will be directed by Wes Ball and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad. "I want to fulfill people’s highest aspirations," Ball shared in March 2024. "I know it’s important, this [Zelda] franchise, to people and I want it to be a significant film."

For more on The Legend of Zelda live-action movie, you can check out our article below!